Top Solar Panels for Camping, Basecamping, and Outdoor Adventures
Electronics are a part of the adventurer’s quiver of tools more than ever before. Thanks to efficiency advances and cost decreases in solar cells, portable solar chargers are finally proving to be a viable means of providing electricity outdoors. A backcountry user might carry a smartphone, GoPros, headlamp, tablet, camera, headphones, and PLB or GPS devices. A family on an extended weekend trip will likely bring multiple smartphones, tablets, speakers, laptops, electric lanterns, and more. Rafters, climbers, bikepackers, and mountain bikers on a weekend mission might haul out even more high-powered lights and GoPros, radios, and other electronic equipment.
By harnessing the energy of the sun, anyone can charge their legion of devices rather than carrying physical batteries or draining the battery in their vehicle or camper. From portable solar chargers that can accommodate multiple devices during a family camping trip, to power banks that hold the biggest charge, to lightweight options for backcountry users that weigh under a pound, we reviewed top models to find the best portable solar chargers for most outdoor uses. Plus, we’ve got tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your portable solar panels, power banks and chargers.
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The Best Portable Solar Chargers
We had three clones to evaluate, all of which performed similarly well, so it was hard to determine which of those to award. However, one did surpass the others, as various sites have mentioned. We also considered different use cases in making our final judgments. As such, some of our winners are in unique categories.
Overall Winner: Big Blue 28W USB Solar Charger
Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces
Solar Cell Output Capacity: 10 watts
Power Output to Device: USB, 5V up to 2A (28W max)
Foldable: Yes
Integrated battery: No
Ports: 2, 2.4 Amp USB-A Ports
What we liked: simple, lightweight, provides more power than similar models, can charge multiple small devices, includes anmeter
What we didn’t like:
We concur with many review sites and consumer reviews that the 1 pound, 5 ounce Big Blue 28W USB Solar Charger was the best for most outdoor use. It’s a simple, lightweight, and powerful solar power charger that seems to provide a little more power than its competition. It will also provide enough power in direct sunlight to charge multiple small devices for one or two people.
The Big Blue unit we tested also included an ammeter, which displays the amount of electrical current the solar panel is generating, setting it apart from the competition. That allowed us to see that the device was working and how much energy it was producing.
COMPARE OF THE BIG BLUE SOLAR CHARGER
Other than that, we found that it was remarkably, if not eerily, similar to two other top-rated solar chargers we evaluated. All three (the Anker 21 Watt PowerPort Solar charger, the Nekteck 28 Watt solar charger, and the BigBlue 28W USB Solar Charger) use the same basic design with two USB-ports and a light to indicate that they’re getting a charge; the Big Blue’s light indicator is the ammeter.
The solar cells in these foldable units are encased in PET polymer and surrounded by polyester canvas. Each offers moderate IPX4 water resistance — although you don’t really want to use these devices in the rain anyhow. They’re so similar they even use the same solar cells — SunPower’s Maxeon solar cells — which are among the most efficient commercially available solar cells and can convert up to 25 percent of the sun’s energy.
Each of these solar chargers had metal grommets in the casing, which allows you to attach them to a rock, backpack, tent, or camp chair. Each has a pouch where you can store the devices being charged and cords for charging your devices. None had kickstands or means to orient them to the sun properly, so you’ll have to get a little more creative, like propping them up on a rock, attaching them to your tent, or attaching them to your backpack to orient them properly to get the most power out of them in camp.
The Big Blue did better than the competition in tests, producing just under 950 milliamp-hours (mAh) of energy in an hour. In relatively similar conditions, the Anker produced 733 mAh, and the Nekteck produced 834 mAh. Without a dedicated test facility and control environment, it is hard to offer a complete scientific evaluation of the differences between these three since clouds could have obscured the sun for part of the testing periods.
In our experience, the Big Blue (or other similar solar panels) will integrate best into your outdoor lifestyle with the help of an external battery, like the Anker. The solar panel charges the battery, and then the battery provides a steady charge to reliably and safely charge your phone. See our section below on batteries for more details.
The Big Blue offered the highest power output among these three, and its cost is essentially the same as the Nekteck, so The Big Blue edged out the Nekteck as the best solar charger. It’s easy to use, well-priced, and offers enough portable power to charge a backup battery. Best yet, it is rugged enough to last for years.
Interested in backpacking gear? See our Backpacking section for our most popular stories.
The Best Solar Charger for Basecamping: Goal Zero Nomad 50
Weight: 6 pounds
Solar Cell Output Capacity: 50 watts
Power Output to Device: USB: 5V up to 2.4A (12W max)/8mm: 14-22V, up to 3.5A (50W Max)
Foldable: Yes
Integrated battery: Goal Zero Sherpa 100 AC sold separetely
Ports: 1 2.4 Amp USB-A Port, 1, 3.3 Amp Solar Port in 8mm, 1, 3.3 Amp Solar Port out 8mm
What we liked: can be linked with other solar panels for even greater charging, kickstands to properly orient to sun, can almost fully charge 2 laptops
What we didn’t like: size and weight make best suited for camping, not backpacking
The Goal Zero Nomad 50 is a larger solar charger that also wins our award for Best Solar Charger for Car Camping and Best Solar Charger for Basecamping and our Best Upgrade Solar Charger award. At 50 watts, it’s the biggest and heaviest solar charger we tried. But if we were doing a couple of weeks in a high mountain cirque with fellow adventurers and we wanted to cut battery weight while keeping our electronics charged, this is the charger we’d choose.
Likewise, if we’re powering all the devices a family needs on a week-long camping trip and they don’t want to drain a car or RV battery, we’d turn to the Goal Zero as our solar charger of choice. Similarly, it’s a good choice for road tripping or overlanding off-grid. It could also be used to work a remote aid station during an ultramarathon or adventure race.
COMPARE OF THE GOAL ZERO NOMAD 50
The Goal Zero is an obvious choice for camping and basecamping for other reasons as well. It’s the only solar charger we evaluated that can be linked to other solar panels and the only one that can be attached in a series to provide even greater charging power to a battery power bank.
With solar cells covered in a polymer and the whole unit encased in a durable polyester, the Nomad is like the larger sibling of the three clones (Big Blue, Anker, and Nektek).
Instead of two cells per foldable solar panel, each of its four panels has 12 cells. It has one USB connector that can provide up to 12 watts of charging power, but it also has a Goal Zero solar port connector that allows it to provide up to 50 watts of charging power or connect to other Goal Zero panels. Like the BioLite solar charger, the Nomad also has kickstands to help ensure it’s properly oriented to the sun.
All of those extra features and solar cells add weight and size. Unlike the clones, the Nomad 50 would take up a significant portion of a backpack. Folded up, it’s almost a foot wide and nearly 1 foot and a half tall. That’s roughly the size of an average male’s torso, and it weighs 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Even if it were attached to the front of Frankenstein’s backpack, it would likely drag on the ground like an oddly stiff cape.
But once unfurled and set up in camp, it can provide enough energy to power a laptop and charge a significantly larger battery than the smaller chargers can power. When combined with a Goal Zero’s Sherpa 100AC power bank, it can charge in 6 or fewer hours in good sun. That 94.7 watt/hour battery includes an inverter allowing it to charge AC devices, like those that plug into a wall outlet. It can almost fully charge two 13” MacBook Pros on a single charge, and since it can deliver at higher wattages and voltages, it can provide higher charging speeds.
Interested in camping gear? See our Camping section for our most popular stories.
The Best Solar Charger with Integrated Battery: BioLite SolarPanel 10
Weight: 1 pound, 3.4 ounces
Solar Cell Output Capacity: 10 W
Battery Storage Capacity (mAH): 3,200 milliamp hours
Power Output to Device: 10 W via USB charge out
Foldable: Yes
Integrated battery: Yes, Battery Storage Capacity (mAH): 3,200 milliamp hours
Ports: 1 Micro USB in 1 2.4 Amp USB-A out
What we liked: includes integrated battery that works as power bank, can pre-charge included powerbank, easy to align with sun to get the most efficient charge, designed to reduce overheating (that impacts efficiency)
What we didn’t like: would be more useful if it were 21W and had storage 10,000 mAH
Though the BioLite SolarPanel 10 is the smallest solar charger we tested at just 10 watts, it’s the most fully featured and the only solar charger we tested that came with an integrated battery that works as a power bank. The 3,200 mAh battery is slightly larger than the iPhone 11’s 3100 mAh battery and could provide an iPhone with a full charge. You can also charge the integrated battery power bank via micro-USB. So users can pre-charge it for adventures so they can charge devices at camp even if the sun’s obscured or down when they get there. Indeed, starting every adventure with fully charged devices and auxiliary batteries is key to getting the most out of your electronic charging system in the backcountry.
COMPARE OF THE BIOLITE SOLARPANEL 10
The SolarPanel 10 also has a radically different design than every other portable panel we tested and most others available. All of its solar cells are encased in a ruggedized, dimpled plastic. BioLite says its solar panel design helps dissipate excess heat, which can cause a solar panel to produce less power than it otherwise would.
Like the other small solar chargers we evaluated, the corners feature holes allowing users to attach them to a backpack or tent. But its analog Optimal Sun System, consisting of an analog sundial, as well as its rotating kickstand, play an important part in making sure you get the most from the charger at any given time.
By aligning the shadow of the dot in the middle of the window, you ensure that the device sends as much solar power to connected devices and the battery as possible. The kickstand clicks into place throughout its rotation, making it easy to adjust the pitch of the portable solar panel to get the optimal placement at any given time.
While we found all these features very useful, we found that when first deploying the solar panel, it didn’t want to stay open until after it warmed in the sun a bit. Also, if its ability to absorb sunlight was larger — even in the 21 watt range — and its energy storage capacity was larger, even around 10,000 mAh, it could have been the Overall Winner.
Honorable Mentions
Both the Anker portable charger and Nekteck portable charger fell a little short of the Big Blue, our overall winner (see review above). Either offer a great value, but we think the Big Blue has the most to offer for the money.
Anker 21 Watt PowerPort Solar Charger
Weight: 14.7 ounces
Solar Cell Output Capacity: 21W
Power Output to Device: 21W to device via USB
Foldable: Yes
Integrated battery: No
Ports: 2, 2.4 Amp USB-A Ports
The now discontinued Anker 21 Watt PowerPort Solar Charger may no longer be available, but we think it’s worth putting on your radar for a few reasons. First, it’s a near-clone of the Big Blue (see review above), our overall winner, so it’s a good example of the similarities between solar panels on the market. Second, it is still widely available on sites such as ebay for folks interested in buying a used solar panel.
One difference is that it was slightly smaller and lighter (15 ounces) than the Big Blue. The Anker produced a little less power in a given time in similar conditions, as expected. Its charging pouch also had a hook-and-loop closure rather than a zippered closure like the other clones. It didn’t include an ammeter. Ultimately, even when the Anker was available, we found the Big Blue to be a better choice given the amount of power it generated.
Nekteck 28 Watt Solar Charger
Weight: 1.44 pounds
Solar Cell Output Capacity: 28W
Power Output to Device: 28W via USB
Foldable: Yes
Integrated battery: No
Ports: 2, 2.4 Amp USB-A Ports
Without the branding, from the outside, the Nekteck 28 Watt solar charger is essentially indistinguishable from the Big Blue. our overall winner (see review above). The specs are similar. Opened up, and without the ammeter, they look essentially identical, too.
However, in the end, it didn’t perform quite as well as the Big Blue — even though it uses the same solar cells and design. In relatively similar conditions, the Anker produced 733 mAh, and the Nekteck produced 834 mAh. It also has a claimed weight of 1 pound, 7 ounces — two ounces heavier than the Big Blue.
Understanding solar chargers
There’s a lot to understand about solar power chargers, but at their heart, a small solar panel consists of several photovoltaic cells grouped together to absorb some of the sun’s energy and convert it into an electric charge that you can use to charge electronics.
Modern, commercially available solar cells can harness nearly 25 percent of the sun’s energy that hits them into electricity. You’ll find this in the most efficient foldable chargers. When these cells are combined together into small solar panels, the solar cells can provide enough energy to recharge the batteries in USB devices and they can weigh under a pound, making them a lightweight option for backcountry adventures across the world.
Why choose a solar generator over other choices?
A portable solar charger is a lightweight and more compact means of electricity generation compared with other means of mobile energy generation. This is advantageous when on the trail and in remote locations because carrying multiple batteries and other means of electricity generation quickly becomes cumbersome as you add more energy storage to your pack. After all, no one wants to carry a gas generator — and gas — on their backs into the woods to provide power for all of their electronic devices. And while we’ve seen some portable wind and micro-hydro turbine generators, like the WaterLily Turbine. they’re also cumbersome, if not heavy. Solar panels are among eco-friendly gear swaps to reduce your environmental impact. especially if your base camp would otherwise run on a gas generator.
Solar chargers, combined with a power bank or backup battery pack — particularly those that can accommodate through charging (i.e., charging itself while charging devices) — are the best, lightest way to charge your electronic equipment.
While most adventurers are looking primarily for a portable phone charger, solar chargers can power:
- cameras and camera batteries
- GPS hiking and backpacking watches
- GoPros and other vlogging or podcasting equipment
- two-way satellite messengers and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
- ebooks
- tablets
- GPS units
- headlamps
- laptops
- bluetooth speakers
- wireless headphones
- SteriPens
- mountain bike lights
- sonar devices
Anytime you’re out for multiple days or weeks in the backcountry, you’ll likely have electronics that need charging. Solar panels work for camping, boating, climbing, bikepacking, mountaineering, and other activities.
Most mobile solar charging units have at least one USB port, making it easy to charge most devices and batteries people take into the wild. Still, many smaller solar chargers will struggle to provide enough power to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Yes, Watson, Watts matter (or why watts matter)
The most important thing about a solar panel charger is its wattage. The more watts, the more sunlight the solar panel can absorb and the more electricity it can generate. If you only need to power your own devices and don’t plan on using them continually while on the trail, you may only need to charge them once every few days or even once a week. In that case, a smaller unit like the BioLite SolarPanel 10 with an integrated battery pack is an excellent choice, but the 10 watt foldable solar panel only has one USB port and wouldn’t be powerful enough to charge a family’s devices on a five-day trip.
On the other hand, our Best for Camping winner, the 50 Watt Goal Zero Nomad 50 Solar Panel. along with the Sherpa 100 AC battery. could handle the needs of a family on a week-long trip or a group of mountaineers exploring a range out for an extended period. The Goal Zero system is significantly larger, heavier, and much more expensive. But this system with this power bank battery has an AC plug and is the only one we considered that charges devices such as large laptops.
We don’t normally advocate getting rid of gear before its end of life, but in this case, if you have a backup battery or power bank that isn’t chargeable via USB, consider recycling it and replacing it with one that is. Similarly, consider USB chargeable devices like headlamps.
While you can use rechargeable AA and AAA powered headlamps, using one device or cable to charge most of your equipment can simplify your carry. When Intel’s Chief Systems Technologist Ajay Bhatt led the development of USB standards in 1996 and companies started using it, he essentially began a process of universalizing charging and connectivity for all devices. Now, USB technology allows us to easily recharge cameras and GoPros as well as smaller electronics like wireless earbuds.
How we Researched and tested
Research
When researching the best camping solar chargers, we explored websites in the outdoor media sphere, and the tech and science spheres as geeks and gear heads are the most likely to use portable solar chargers to power their electronics.
We chose the models we tested based on reviews and articles we read and analyzed from other reliable sources, including Lifewire, Gear Institute, Backpacker, Wirecutter, The Adventure Junkies, Popular Mechanics, Outdoor GearLab, and others (see Sources). We also looked at verified customer reviews to gather data from professional reviewers and actual users.
How We Tested
We tested these foldable solar panels on multiple days in the field, at campsites, and at home, sometimes even hanging them out of a south-facing window on sunny days of full Colorado summer sunshine. Despite multiple uses and attempts, none of the solar chargers we tested reached the manufacturer’s claimed fully-rated wattages for maximum power output during our tests.
We attached each solar panel to a USB digital tester and various battery packs and other electronic devices we use in the backcountry, including GPS units, Bluetooth headphones, bike lights, headlamps, and more. We attempted to charge our iPhones and iPads directly but found they wouldn’t accept the charge since the power varied too much with the sun and clouds — even on some bluebird days. We found it was better to use them to charge a backup battery or power bank with through charging capabilities and then use that battery to charge our devices while it was charging via the solar panel.
We attempted to test some of the chargers while hiking but found that even though companies place attachment points on the solar chargers to attach them to backpacks, they didn’t perform well in real-world testing that way. We’ll explain why in another section.
We found that the digital USB tester wasn’t as applicable to the Goal Zero and BioLite contenders. This is because we couldn’t connect the digital USB tester to the higher wattage power cord of the Goal Zero, and the BioLite’s solar charge controller and portable battery power bank can provide a more conditioned stream of power from the battery.
buying advice
When looking for a good solar charger, there are many things to consider. First and foremost, you’ll want to determine what you’ll use it for as well as how many devices it will power. Secondly, consider how long you’ll be in the backcountry and how much energy storage and battery capacity you want to carry.
We looked at a wide range of solar chargers and, in some cases, energy storage units (aka batteries). We also came up with some different conclusions than other review sites based on our knowledge and our anticipation of how you’ll actually be able to use a solar charger in the field.
For instance, unlike many other reviews and ‘best of’ lists we evaluated, we firmly recommend using solar chargers with backup batteries. Many high-end electronics like smartphones and tablets require a steady, regulated, or conditioned stream of electricity to charge. It helps limit the amount of damage that a surge or dip in solar power can do to the sensitive electronics inside the device.
Efficiency and power output
Efficiency and power output are two separate, but related, things. Efficiency refers to the efficiency of the solar cells in a panel and also the panel itself. The solar cells in the panel have a higher efficiency than the overall panel as some of the energy they capture is lost in transmitting energy through the wires and electronics of the solar panel. The most efficient commercial solar cells are around 24 percent efficient. A solar panel or charger, however will likely be in the range of 18 to 21 percent efficient.
Power output is measured in terms of wattage or how many watts of energy a solar panel can output. The more efficient a solar panel is means it can output more watts and amps from a smaller area. For charging devices you’ll want a solar panel that’s capable of producing at least 5 watts, however many highly portable solar panels produce up to 28 watts of charging power in ideal conditions. Higher wattages do equal more charging power—however, since most of these solar panels still use USB-A style plugs, they can only produce 2.4 amps of current through those plugs.
Portability and size
The smallest outdoor solar panels we evaluated are 5 watts. These are about the size of a medium tablet, like the BioLite SolarPanel 5. and weigh less than a can of beer. They can produce enough power to slowly charge a smartphone or other device. At 8 inches by 9.75 inches, they’re easy to slip into a day pack.
The largest portable solar panel we tested was the 6 pound Goal Zero Nomad 50. which folds down to just over 17 inches long by 11 inches wide and is well over an inch thick at its thickest parts, making it hard to fit in most backpacks. When set up it folds out to 53 inches wide. It was also the most powerful solar panel we tested and is capable of charging a battery that can charge laptops.
Durability and weather resistance
While these panels will last for years and even decades with proper care, they’re not designed to be left out in the elements like a permanent installation. They are encased in abrasion-resistant fabrics and plastics and are foldable.
The solar cells are encased in impact-resistant plastic and the units usually have an IPX4 water-resistant rating, meaning they can handle water splashes but not much more than that. That shouldn’t be a surprise since the majority of portable solar panels have standard USB-A ports with no waterproof cover.
Battery capacity
The majority of the solar panels tested don’t have batteries. The BioLite SolarPanel 5 and BioLite SolarPanel 10 have 3,200 mAh batteries. That’s enough to charge an iPhone 13 or 14 one time. You can also pre-charge these batteries before you leave and use them to charge a device while it’s in your pack or at night and recharge the battery with the sun.
Direct solar charging speed
If the solar panel is optimally placed in full sun it should be able to produce its maximum wattage rating. In these cases, a panel like the Anker 21 Watt PowerPort Solar Charger should be able to provide enough energy to charge 2 USB devices simultaneously at 2.4 amps, the same as many 12-Volt USB adapters used in cars.
Multiple device solar charging speed
In ideal, full-sun conditions a 20 or more watt solar charger with two (or more) USB ports should be able to charge multiple devices at up to 2.4 amps like most 12-Volt USB adapters used in cars. A more powerful panel should be able to charge more, but the device has to be able to handle higher charging amperages like those that use USB-C connections.
Additional features and accessories
The majority of portable solar panels for camping are pretty minimal in terms of features. Most consist primarily of the panel and USB ports. Additional features include a for cables, grommets or loops to attach the panels to a pack or tent, and on some, stands to help keep the panel upright and at the right angle. A few, like the BioLite panels, have integrated batteries and they also have a little sundial that helps users properly orient the panel so that optimum sun hits the solar cells.
When it comes to accessories, there are two main accessories you can use with the solar panels, cords and batteries.
We highly recommend using these with a backup battery rather than plugging a Smart device directly to them. Some Smart devices limit the speed at which the devices can charge when dealing with a variable power source, like a solar panel. Backup batteries, however, can better harvest the variable currents flowing from a solar panel.
Price and value for money
The price of basic solar panels isn’t very high, about 67 for our Best Overall pick, the Big Blue 28W USB Solar Charger. If you have an existing backup battery and know you’ll be camping out for days and need extra power for your electronics when camp is set up, it’s a decent investment. If you’re hoping it’ll power your devices while strapped to the outside of your pack and hiking, you’ll be displeased. Despite advertising photos, even in sunny Colorado where we tested all the devices, these panels weren’t great at delivering power consistent enough to charge devices while hiking with them on a pack.
Integrated Battery or Power Bank
Unlike many other reviews and ‘best of’ lists we evaluated, we firmly recommend using solar chargers with backup batteries. Many high-end electronics like smartphones and tablets require a steady, regulated, or conditioned stream of electricity to charge. It helps limit the amount of damage that a surge or dip in solar power can do to the sensitive electronics inside the device.
In addition, carrying a pre-charged backup battery or power bank and a way to easily charge all your devices when you’re in town or your vehicle can reduce the amount of charging you’ll need to do on the trail. Pre-charging or recharging a backup battery or power bank via the wall or your vehicle will almost always be faster than charging via a solar panel.
The other two models we evaluated cost more. The BioLite, which is only a 10 watt solar panel, retails for 150. However, it’s also the only solar charger we tested with an integrated battery (sometimes called a portable solar power bank). It also has a kickstand, and a unique but simple mechanism called the Optimal Sun System, which helps orient the charger to get the maximum amount of sunlight available. It’s also unique in that it’s encased entirely in plastic.
The Goal Zero Nomad 50 Solar Panel. our winner for Best Solar Charger for camping (see review above) had the highest wattage of any unit we tested at 50 watts and was the most expensive unit we tested at 250. It was also the largest and heaviest, but it is the only one that can provide a charge at a higher wattage and voltage.
With panels this small, when the skies are gray, don’t expect much power output. The 50 watt, Goal Zero Nomad 50 should still produce enough energy to trickle-charge a smartphone but smaller panels will slow down to producing very small amounts of power, suitable only for trickle charging a backup battery.
Can LED Light Charge a Solar Watch?
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Solar watches are a useful gadget that can keep time without daily winding or batteries, and just need one resource to work: solar energy. However, what if you’re in a pinch and need to charge your solar watch, but don’t have access to any sunlight? That leads us to a popular question.
Can LED light charge a solar watch? Yes, LED light can charge a solar watch, although it isn’t as powerful or as fast-charging as natural sunlight. You should try to avoid charging your solar watch with LED light unless you’re in a pinch.
Charging solar watches can be a little more tricky than just setting your watch out in the sunlight, especially if you want to charge one with LED light. To make sure you’re getting the most use out of your solar watch, we’ll walk you through the essential things to know about solar watches and charging them.
Charging Solar Watches: What You Need to Know
Owners of solar watches have often experimented with different ways to charge them. Although solar watches are really relatively simple to charge with natural sunlight, sometimes people can get in positions where they don’t actually have sunlight to charge their solar watch. That’s where alternative light sources come in.
Maybe a certain area doesn’t have enough exposure to sunlight to charge a solar watch. Maybe at the time your solar watch needs charged, it’s dark outside or there isn’t direct sunlight near your home.
Maybe you’re in a pinch and just need a little more power – but don’t have a chance to take your watch off and let it soak up some rays. Maybe you’re secretly a vampire. Whatever the case is, we get it!
Regardless of how you want to charge your solar watch, we’re going to walk you through some of the basics of solar watches and some of the best charging tactics for them. We’ll also discuss how you can charge a solar watch with an LED light, but why it might not be your best or most effective option. Let’s get down to it.
Some basic information about solar watches
You’ve probably gathered this by now, but solar watches are watches that are powered (entirely or partly) by a solar cell.
Back around the 1970’s when solar watches first emerged, it could be pretty obvious that your watch was solar powered; the solar cells were easier to spot and see. Nowadays, solar powered watches are more common and better built; you may see a solar watch without even realizing it’s solar powered.
Sunlight (and yes, artificial light) are absorbed by the solar panel(s) on a solar watch. The solar power converts the sun’s rays into electrical energy, which is used along with a rechargeable cell to power the watch.
Because of their rechargeable cells, solar watches can work day or night, or in low-lit areas and under clothing. The rechargeable cell holds the energy that was absorbed from the sun, giving power to the watch until it runs out of energy and needs to be charged again.
Charging solar watches: natural versus LED light
The cat’s out of the bag by now; you know that both sunlight and artificial (including LED) light can charge solar watches. How can you do it, though? Let’s take a look at charging solar watches with both natural sunlight and LED light.
Charging times: natural sunlight versus LED light
We mentioned before that charging your solar watch with LED light is slower and less powerful than using natural sunlight. To give you perspective, let’s lay the timing out for how long your watch needs to be exposed to light for a full charge and temporary charge.
You’ll see in the tables below that it takes significantly longer to charge a solar watch with LED light than it does with natural sunlight (we’re talking almost 8 times longer!).
Light time needed for a full watch charge
| Light source | Charging time until full battery |
| Natural Sunlight (full sunlight) | 20 hours |
| Natural Sunlight (cloudy weather) | 60 hours |
| LED Light (artificial) | 150 hours |
Light time needed for a temporary (24 hours) watch charge
| Light source | Charging time until 24 hours charge |
| Natural Sunlight (full sunlight) | 3 minutes |
| Natural Sunlight (cloudy weather) | 9 minutes |
| LED Light (artificial) | 3.5 hours |
Charging solar watches with natural sunlight
Let’s walk through the step by step process of charging a solar watch with natural sunlight.
Step one: check your indicator
Solar watches should have an indicator bar that shows the level of charge the watch has left. If your indicator says “zero” or “0,” it’s time to charge your watch!
You may also notice your watch’s time can’t be set or that the buttons aren’t working. Additionally, your second hands may be moving in two-second increments instead of one-second increments. These are also indicators that it’s time to charge your watch.
Step two: place your watch near the light source
If your solar watch does indeed need charging, it’s time to place it near the natural light source. Direct sunlight is best, so window sills are an ideal area.
If you’re driving, you can also place the watch on the dash of your car while driving, or place your hand on the window sill of the car. Just make sure your sleeves are out of the way first.
Charging solar watches with LED light
Charging your solar watch with LED light is mostly the same in principle as charging your watch with natural sunlight. Step one is the same as with charging your watch with natural sunlight; first check your watch’s indicator to make sure it does indeed need charged.
Next, place your watch near your LED light source. The CoolFire Solar Watch Fast Charger from Amazon is an excellent choice. Smaller LED bulbs are best as they are safest for your watch (we’ll discuss this in the next section in more detail).
This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on August 28, 2019
However, no matter what LED source you choose, place your watch at least 20 inches from the light source and let it charge. This distance will keep your watch from potentially being damaged by the LED light source.
Protecting Your Solar Watch: Charge With LED Light Carefully
There are some potential risks to your solar watch with incorrect use while charging with LED lights. LED light and other artificial light can actually be harmful to and damage your solar watch.
To make sure you’re charging your solar watch safely with LED light, follow these tips!
Keep your watch a safe distance away from the light source
Heat can damage the polarizing film of solar watches, and can cause permanent damage. LED light and other artificial light sources can put off a lot of heat. Because of this, it’s important to keep your watch a safe distance away from the light source. At least 20 inches is a safe bet.
Use a smaller, low lux bulb
Using a smaller or low lux bulb to charge your solar watch with LED light will help with the heat issue. Smaller bulbs and low lux bulbs put off less heat. So, while it may take a little longer to charge your solar watch with these, it’s much safer.
This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on August 28, 2019
Don’t charge your watch with LED light all the time
Ultimately, the most efficient and safe way to charge your solar watch is with natural sunlight. So, while you can charge your watch with LED light, try to avoid doing it constantly or all the time. Your watch will be safer, last longer, and charge faster!
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This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on August 28, 2019
How Do You Charge Your Dead Eco-Drive Watch?
Eco-Drive is Citizen’s exclusive technology that powers its timepieces without the user ever having to replace the battery, charge the watch, or even touch the magnet. The solar cells in the wristwatches collect and store sunlight for later use. The groundbreaking mechanism required only illumination to work. This development is essential for businesses that are trying to become green because it increases the durability of watches and eliminates the need for disposable batteries. This is the go-to illumination unit for wristwatches, which speaks much about its importance. Underneath the dial is where you’ll find the indicator. The superiority of its power generation capabilities has led to its use in several of our high-performance models. Eco-Drive is a technology that uses light to power a watch by storing extra energy on a power cell. So, if you wondering if you can charge a dead Eco drive watch? or how do you charge your dead Eco-Drive watch? Even in complete darkness, an Eco-Drive watch that has been completely charged can run for months without needing new batteries. It can be powered by typical indoor lightings, such as a desk lamp or fluorescent light. Having a watch that doesn’t stop is like having peace of mind in the middle of the day. This article will thoroughly discuss all Eco-drive watches and how to charge an Eco Drive watch fast.
How Do You Charge Your Dead Eco-Drive Watch?
If you have a dead Eco-Drive watch, then to charge it, you just need to expose it to the light. If you pull out the crown while charging under normal charging conditions, your watch will get charged just one-third of the time. However, the charging time varies depending on the light conditions and the model. For better estimation follow what’s written in your watch’s manual book. This explains how do you charge your dead Eco-Drive watch.
What is the Exact Citizen Eco Drive Charge Time?
After learning how do you charge your dead Eco-Drive watch, let’s also see what is citizen eco drive charge time. Wearing your new Citizen Eco-Drive timepiece frequently will expose it to light, which will in turn recharge the battery and keep the power reserve full indefinitely. Timepieces take different amounts of time to charge depending on the model and the type of light used, with sunshine being the quickest and most effective option.
The length of time it takes for your Citizen Eco-Drive watch to fully charge depends on a number of variables, including the watch’s type and design, the brightness of the light used to charge it, the ambient light in the room, etc. Just as I mentioned before, the Citizen solar watch is manufactured using Citizen’s in-house developed solar technology. That’s why the Eco-Drive watch has solar rechargeable cells that can get their juice from either natural or artificial light. Following that, the watch’s built-in power-saving features work in tandem with the solar cell to store the energy produced by the sun. Put your watch in the light whenever it seems low on juice or you receive a low charge alert. As for whether the light is natural or artificial, it makes little difference to the charging process itself; rather, the timing of charge is what changes according to the type of light source used. For instance, if you leave your Citizen Eco-Drive watch out in the sun (or clouds) for a while, it will charge faster. However, it will take a long time for your watch to fully charge when exposed to an artificial light source like an office lamp. Furthermore, the illuminance or lux level of light changes with the light source and thus also impacts the charging time. After this, let’s learn about charging eco drive with led light.
Charging Eco Drive With LED Light
Of course! The energy from LEDs can be used to power a solar-powered wristwatch. However, if you just have access to a single LED light, charging one of these solar watches may be more of a hassle than just leaving it in the sun. This article will teach you everything you need to know about charging solar watches with LED lights so that you can get the most out of your watch.
Many solar watch owners try out new charging techniques all the time. Even while solar watches can be charged simply by exposing them to sunlight, there are still scenarios in which this isn’t always possible. The LED light is useful for this purpose. Maybe there isn’t enough sunlight where you are to charge a solar watch. Maybe you’re a vampire that needs a little bit of juice right now but doesn’t have time to remove their watch from their wrist. Whatever the case may be, know that you have our support.
Charging Eco Drive with LED Light:
By now, the secret is out, you know that a solar watch may be charged in either natural sunshine or by exposure to an LED light. While charging via sunlight is straightforward, let’s take a closer look at the procedure using an LED source for solar watches. LEDs can be used to recharge solar-powered timepieces.
An indicator showing the charge status is standard on modern solar watches. Maybe you’ll even notice that the controls aren’t responsive. Or, if the charge indicator on your watch is greyed out, you need to charge it immediately.
The next step is to position your solar watch near the LED bulb. Smaller LED bulbs are the most efficient and secure option for a solar watch because of their low power consumption and long lifespan. But regardless of the LED light you choose, it’s important to keep the solar watch at least 20 inches away from the source while it charges so that it doesn’t interfere with the process.
How to Charge an Eco Drive Watch Fast?
The new Eco-Drive watch is driven by innovative eco-drive technology, which can harness the energy from both natural and artificial light. You may rest assured that your watch will always keep good time thanks to the energy that has been collected and kept in a separate reserve.
Wearing your new Citizen Eco-Drive timepiece frequently will expose it to light, which will in turn recharge the battery and keep the power reserve full indefinitely. Timepieces take different amounts of time to charge depending on the model and the type of light used, with sunlight being the quickest and most efficient option.
Instructions for standard charging of Eco-Drive analog watches:
- Two minutes of charging time equal one day of use under bright sunlight (100,00 lux); a full charge takes eleven hours.
- Cloudy day (10, 000 lux) use time in the great outdoors: 12 minutes; full charge time: 40 hours
- 40 minutes for one day’s use at an 8-inch distance under a 30W fluorescent light (3,000 illuminance/lux); 130 hours to fully charge.
With a full charge, your Eco-Drive will keep going for at least six (6) months, even in complete darkness. Your Citizen Eco-Drive shouldn’t be kept in complete darkness for longer than six (6) months. In order to fully recharge your watch after this long period of time, you must leave it out in direct sunlight for a specified amount of time. After this, you must also be wonder about-How do I charge my eco-drive watch?
How Do I Charge My Eco-Drive Watch?
Eco-Drive watches function through the collection of light by internal solar cells. The energy from this light is then stored in a battery. As the watch’s power cell is constantly replenishing the battery, it will never need to be charged from an external source. The innovation allows the watch to be powered by sunlight, artificial light, or even very low-level lighting.
The potential for energy collection from light is proportional to the amount of available light. Two minutes of charging on a sunny day are all that’s needed to power the watch through the day. In order to fully charge the watch, it needs to be exposed to sunlight for 8-12 hours. Even on a cloudy day, the watch only needs 12 minutes of sunlight to last a full day, and it takes 40 hours to fully charge. To supplement their natural power source, Eco-Drive watches can also charge off of LEDs. The watch needs to be set 8 inches away from a fluorescent light and left there for 40 minutes in order to gather enough light to power it for 1 day. The watch needs to be exposed to light for 130 hours if a complete charge is to be obtained this way. A fully charged Eco-Drive watch may operate for up to six months in complete darkness. The watch should keep ticking indefinitely if it is left on a dark desk or dresser.
With this, you have learned everything about citizen eco drive from how do you charge your dead Eco-Drive watch to the exact citizen eco drive charge time to how do I charge my eco-drive watch and many more. Now you won’t have to always go through the manual of this watch for every small issue associated with it.
Olivia is committed to green energy and works to help ensure our planet’s long-term habitability. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and avoiding single-use plastic.
Ready Hour Wireless Solar PowerBank Charger 20 LED Room Light
This wireless solar charger is rugged and dependable, perfect for emergencies, natural disasters and power outages. It’s waterproof too. Take it camping or on a hunting trip. Keep in your RV or cabin.
Any time you’re outdoors and need to charge your devices or gear, you’ll want a powerful device like this.
A TRUE POWERHOUSE
High-Powered Charging : Stay connected with sustainable power to carry you through the unexpected! No sub-standard power here. With 20,000 mAh power capacity (triple lesser competitor units. be sure to compare).
Power the devices you depend on, anytime and anywhere—three devices at once with 2 USB ports 1 USB-C port or a single device like a cell phone four times before recharging.
Whole-Room Light : Or count on the bright, long-lasting LED bank of lights. Once you see this unit, you’ll want every member of your family to have one.
Fast Charging : Two of the three USB ports on this device are fast chargers, so you won’t have to sit around and wait for hours. Or, set your device or cell phone on the wireless charging surface!
BUILT TO LAST LONGER
Water Drop-Proof Casing : Carefully crafted with a premium silicon protective case. a durable build with side grips that makes it easy to hold or use the lanyard clip. waterproof and shockproof.
High-Energy Density Lithium Ion Battery : Put through rigorous testing to ensure durability
SPECS
Charge on the Go. 3 USB Cable Outputs. Output 1: 5V/3A; Output 2: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A; TYPE-C Output 3: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A.
Fast Charging. Solar Panel, Micro-USB USB Type-C input to charge, charge and discharge more than 800 times; include a 4-stage power-level indicator; can recharge in approximately 60-90 minutes by wall outlet, depending on power adapter block.
LED Bank of Lights. Hold on/off button to turn on a bright panel of LED lights with a flashing red light S.O.S signal mode, puts out 520 lumens
Dimensions. 4 x 1.2 x 7.38 and weighs 1.55 pounds
What’s in the Box. Wireless Solar PowerBank Charging Unit, micro-USB cord, manual
Storage: Optimal storage conditions range from 30-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not expose to temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Battery Care: As with all battery-run devices, proper upkeep is critical for the prolonged function of this unit. If the unit is left to sit for long periods, the battery can drain and even become inoperable. Make sure to charge the battery every few months to extend its life and performance.
The solar panel with this unit is primarily intended to power your LED flashlight. A couple hours of intense sunlight equals a couple hours of LED flashlight power.
Although the power bank will charge via solar panel, that is not the primary intent on having the solar panel. The conversion rate for this size of solar panel under optimal, full sun conditions is 550 mAh per hour. It would take on average about 40 hours to fully recharge the 20,000 mAh battery once the sun’s rays are intense enough to reach the maximum conversion rate. On a full battery, the LED flashlight can last up to 72 hour. It is recommended to have this unit standing by, fully charged by by an electrical outlet, ready for use during emergencies.